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BPO Investors still Drawn to Metro Manila

Metro Manila Philippines Continues to Attract Investors

Even though the Philippines is promoting the "Next Wave Cities" as feasible alternatives for business process outsourcing (BPO) operations, a lot of foreign investors still favor Central Business Districts (CBDs) in Metro Manila.

According to Jose Mari Mercado, President and CEO of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), a handful of BPO firms are said to have expanded in remote cities and provinces, but majority still choose to set up operations in the National Capital Region. He added that one of the key factors that drive BPOs to continue to patronize Metro Manila is that it presents well-planned development. Mercado pointed out that most of the time, Metro Manila is the first choice of investors in North America.

Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is one of the hubs cited by real estate experts as a preferred location due to its growing supply of office space and well-developed infrastructure. The Vertis North by Ayala Land Corp. is another CBD tagged as an emerging BPO hub in Quezon City. It is one of the six growth centers unveiled by Ayala this month.

Since BPO expansions are sources of employment opportunities, cities outside Metro Manila consider them as important investments. Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President Julian Payne said the Philippines is a strategic location for BPOs because of its culture, English language proficiency, and time zone.